Cycling accident claims and compensation

At Leigh Day, we’re passionate about cycling and cyclists. We are the exclusive providers of legal services to members of British Cycling and the British Triathlon Federation, but beyond our work, we also believe in the bike’s potential to transform our towns and cities into cleaner, safer and better places to live.

That’s why we’re proud of our work campaigning for safer conditions for cycling. However, there’s still a long road ahead and sadly cycling incidents and injuries remain common on our roads.

If you’ve had a crash, you need clear advice and support throughout the legal process to get you back in the saddle.

Our dedicated cycling lawyers – part of our personal injury team – specialise in providing legal advice to all types of people injured on their bikes. This includes those:

• Racing
• Touring
• Training
• Commuting to work
• Simply getting from A to B on a bike

Whatever injuries you suffer – from road rash and broken bones to life-changing brain and spinal damage – our team are experts in the laws around cycling incidents and their consequences. We will deal with insurance companies and the police to support you through the legal process, while also focusing on your physical and mental rehabilitation to get you back to health as soon as possible.

Types of cycling crashes

In 2018, 17,451 cyclists were injured in Great Britain, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). Cyclists accounted for 14.5% of all serious injuries and 10.3% of all slight injuries among road users in the same period – despite cycling making up less than 1% of road traffic.

Incidents can happen due to a wide range of circumstances, many of which can lead to a successful cycling incident claim. These include:

• Collisions – Vehicles pulling out of a junction, onto a roundabout or into the path of a cyclist when turning or changing lanes, as the driver fails to look.
• Bike failure – Faulty parts or negligent fitting of components can lead to a sudden failure of brakes or loss of balance. This can cause serious injury, whether you collide with a vehicle, wall or the ground.
• Poor roads – No matter how careful you are, hitting a pothole, water or oil spillage on the roads can be unavoidable and result in falling and sustaining injuries.
• Car door opening – Even parked cars can cause injuries when drivers or passengers fail to check behind them. Opening a door can knock cyclists off their bikes or cause them to swerve into the road.
• Sports – Specific training, touring and racing crashes can occur due to problems with the equipment, track or negligence.

Cycling injuries

The nature and severity of your cycling incident will directly affect your injuries. Common cycling injuries resulting from any kind of collision include:

• Road rash – Surface injuries commonly caused by minor skids and falls. Road rash heals quickly and can be treated with antiseptic and certain creams, but can leave scarring.
• Soft tissue injuries – More serious than road rash, bruising to soft tissue areas usually takes longer to heal.
• Fractures and broken bones – Broken collarbones, wrists, ankles, ribs and skull fractures are common for cyclists involved in serious collisions.
• Brain and head injuries – Serious, life-changing injuries can include brain damage and head injuries after being knocked off your bike.
• Spinal injuries – Damage to your spine can cause paralysis and serious injuries that require specialist rehabilitation treatment.
• Death – Sadly sometimes serious incidents can be fatal.

Leigh Day’s cycling claims team

The impact of an injury can disrupt your normal life and even change it forever. If you have suffered an injury while cycling, our aim is to get you the rehabilitation and compensation you need to return to the saddle and normal life as soon as you can.

Our specialist cycling claims team helps you achieve your goals – from the speedy replacement of your bike, to providing advice on employer obligations when returning to work with a disability.

We know taking legal action can be a leap into the unknown. Our role is to be your experienced guide, giving you the benefit of years of experience. We work to get you the best possible outcome for your cycling accident claim, as swiftly and professionally as possible.

Cycling accident solicitors

Our cycling claims team has focused on cycling law and claims for more than 20 years. Since 1999, it has been exclusively retained by British Cycling and the British Triathlon Federation – providing a first class legal service for their members.

The team is made up of experienced personal injury lawyers with a strong expertise and interest in cycling law and related areas – such as road traffic collisions, and brain and spinal injuries. We are accredited as expert advisers in cases of serious head, spinal cord and brain injury claims by the:

• Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL)
• Child Brain Injury Trust
• Headway
• UK Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF)
• Spinal Injuries Association

Four of our team are accredited as personal injury specialists by the Law Society as well.

Our cycling campaigns

Our passion for cycling and cyclists is evident through the various campaigns we work on. We’re also members of the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group and support various campaigns, including More Than a Cyclist.